Virginia burn ban begins next week

The relatively mild winter —- that is, the absence of snow —- could lead to a more intense spring fire season, foresters say.

Virginia’s spring burn ban begins Feb. 15, and residents are prohibited from lighting fires before 4 p.m. The ban continues through April 30.

Some do anyway, to burn debris and other material. That causes problems, which could be exacerbated this year because snow hasn’t fallen.

“The snow kind of packs down the fire fuels and helps decomposition,” said Bill Perry, Amherst County’s forester specialist for the Virginia Department of Forestry, along with Derek Keiser, the office’s technician specialist.

“The weather changes so quickly in the spring,” he said. “Winds, with the top layer of fuel, it dries out quickly. It’s the fine fuel we’re concerned about.”

Namely, that’s pine needles, leaves and small twigs. “That will spread a fire quickly,” Keiser said. “We’d like to have some snow.

“Don’t leave it unattended until you’re sure it’s completely out,” he said. Under the right conditions, a fire can reignite days later.

Last week, the volunteer firefighters from Amherst, Monelison and Pedlar agencies responded to two successive brush fires and contained them, and the state forestry professionals are ready to respond with tractors to contain the fires.

Yet, fire conditions can be tough to overcome.

Last week, the fire occurred on a day with low humidity and with wind.

“Right at about 4:30 p.m., (the humidity) dropped to 25 percent,” under perfect blue, breezy skies, Perry said.

“We’ve got plenty of soil moisture,” he said. The rain total for the year so far is 2.65 inches. The normal amount for the year should be 3.68 inches.

“Just two or three good days of warm temperatures and breezes, it dries out,” Perry said.

Last year, Amherst County had seven fires that burned 117 acres, Perry said. The causes of the fires were: burning debris, three; power lines, two; vehicle fire, one; hot ashes, one.

An outbuilding was destroyed, but 27 homes valued at an estimated $2.7 million were protected.

“Our volunteer fire departments continue to be a valuable asset to us during these fires,” Perry said. “Without their fast response and dedication to the people of the county, many more outbuildings and homes would be lost because of the carelessness of others.”

Conditions this year are such that Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the Feb. 15 beginning of the spring fire season last week.

Ninety-five percent of wildfires in the Commonwealth are caused by people, and the 4 p.m. law has been in place for 70 years.

According to State Forester of Virginia Carl Garrison, more than 40 percent of the 1,114 fires were caused by people burning trash or debris.

“These fires threatened the lives of thousands of Virginians and more than 4,000 homes and structures in 2011,” Garrison said .

Starting a fire before 4 p.m. during spring fire season is a Class 3 misdemeanor crime. It can also be very costly. In addition to a fine of not more than $500, the person responsible for an escaping fire is financially liable for the cost of suppressing the fire and for damage caused to another’s property.

Tips on controlling fires

• Even if it’s after 4 p.m., don’t burn if the wind speed is in excess of 20 miles per hour and humidity levels are below 30 percent

• Burn in small piles rather than one big pile.

• Before igniting your fire, clear the area around the pile down to bare dirt.

• Don’t add to the fire after midnight.

• Keep a fully charged hose and a shovel on hand to extinguish any spot fires that ignite away from the burn pile.

• Dial 9-1-1 as soon as a fire escapes your control.